Week of July 14 - 20
Bookstore Crawl | TORCH SONG Revival | Rock, Roll & Gathering to Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the ADA | Volunteer with RCA | Community Music Education in Northampton | Upcoming Events & More
Pioneer Valley Bookstore Crawl Makes Supporting Local Indie Shops Even More Appealing this Summer
Enjoy a fun new summertime promotion, visit the Valley's wonderful bookstores, and enter for a chance to win big!
Get your passport stamped at each of the 7 participating bookstores listed below and be entered to win a prize worth $350 in books in the form of a $50 gift card to each bookstore!
When: July 1st - August 31st
The participating bookstores are:
Amherst Books (8 Main Street, Amherst, MA)
Booklink Booksellers (150 Main Street, Northampton MA)
Book Moon Books (86 Cottage Street, Easthampton, MA)
Broadside Bookshop (247 Main Street, Northampton, MA)
Carle Museum Bookshop (125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA)
High Five Books (141 N. Main St. Florence, MA)
Odyssey Bookshop (9 College Street, South Hadley, MA)
How: Pick up a passport at any of the participating bookstores or print one at home by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/pvbc25.
TORCH SONG Takes the Stage at Northampton Center for the Arts
An independent collective of queer and trans artists is putting on a production of Harvey Fierstein’s TORCH SONG, a hilarious and moving play about a drag queen in NYC in the 70s and 80s at the Northampton Center for the Arts later this month.
This poignant commentary on queer survival and family making won a Tony Award for best play in 1982 and resonates with startling force over four decades later. Originally produced and published as Torch Song Triology, a series of three one-act plays, TORCH SONG was consolidated into a single two-act play in 2018.
In February 2024, the Easthampton Theatre Company produced a sold out run of TORCH SONG that resonated deeply with audiences. A collective of artists involved with that original production has come together to produce its revival.
On their website, the producers share: “In light of the political climate and the current administration’s brazen assault on queer and trans rights, stories, and spaces, we feel renewed conviction about telling this story at this time. For the revival, we plan to refresh certain elements of the production in a way that speaks more directly to our current moment. We also plan to involve the local drag community and market the show to a younger and queerer audience than the first production was able to reach. Lastly, we plan to fundraise in order to offer a free ticket option to the public, which will meaningfully increase access.”
TORCH SONG opens at the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley Street in Northampton on Friday, July 25th at 8 PM, with several evening and matinee performances scheduled through August 3rd. 15-20% of proceeds from the show will be donated to support the Trans Asylum Seekers Support Network and other groups supporting LGBTQIA+ people at this time.
Music on the Horizon: NCMC Opens Registration for 2025-2026 Academic Year
Whether you are a musician who wants to sharpen your skills with private lessons, or expand your horizons with group classes and ensembles—now is the time to enroll in programs at Northampton Community Music Center for the coming academic year! Financial aid is available to all who need it.
New at NCMC this year is the Brass Ensemble: a beginning level ensemble taught by multi-instrumentalist Dara Adams-Smith; perfect for students entering grades 4 or 5.
Rock, Roll & Gather ADA 35th Anniversary Celebration Coming to Look Park in August
Rock, Roll & Gather is a free, all-ages community celebration marking the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hosted by Stavros Center for Independent Living and Look Park, the event brings together live music, food trucks, local vendors organized by Yet Another Queer Pop Up Market, and powerful storytelling in honor of disability rights, access, and collective joy.
Want to be a part of the event? Apply as a vendor or contact jmontgomery@stavros.org about becoming a sponsor.
ICYMI
Quick Links to Rad Stuff + Stuff We Covered Last Week
PROJECT TRANSMUTATION: Rural Billboards as Blueprints for Belonging
Queer Joy Collaborative’s Chorus Registration is Open for Adults & Kids
Shop our Gift Guide featuring affirming items and experiences from the Bloom Local Partner Network
🏳️🌈 Explore new additions to our Community Guide and keep supporting LGBTQ+-owned businesses and orgs
Weekly Poll
Curious about the results of last week’s poll?
💞 Flirt Local Entries Now Open
Flirt Local is a new section coming to the Bloom Local newsletter where you can share your "missed connections" anonymously with local readers.
Let's celebrate LGBTQIA+ moments of curiosity, chemistry, and connection—whether it was a spark at the maker's market, a glance at the cafe, or a shared laugh at a show. We're just here to have a little flirty fun and keep the local love growing.
Use the form below to send in your short + sweet submission. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and may not be able to publish every entry.
Questions? Reach us at Hello@BloomLocal.live.
Disability Pride Month Film Screening: The Ride Ahead
Wednesday, July 16, 5 - 8 PM
📍Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA
The Northampton Disability Commission, Amherst Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and Easthampton Commission on Disability will be hosting a FREE film festival for Disability Pride Month! The Ride Ahead will be screened by the Amherst Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
* FREE PROGRAM *
Affirmations Book Club for Youth
Wednesday, July 16, 6 - 7 PM
📍High Five Books, 141 N Main St., Florence, MA
Join us for a casual and fun monthly book club - a partnership between Translate Gender and High Five Books.
* FREE PROGRAM *
Song Share Sessions for Nonbinary, Trans and Women Singer Songwriters
Thursday, July 17, 7 - 9 PM
📍 Sip413, 90 Maple St., Florence, MA
Calling all nonbinary, trans, and women singer-songwriters! Our next Song Share Session happens the second Thursday of every month. We kick off at 7 PM with a community check-in and intention setting. Want to refine your performance? Get feedback on a new song? Connect with fellow artists? This space is for YOU. If you’d like feedback, bring copies of your lyrics!
* FREE *
Family QTAG
Saturdays July 19 & August 16, 11 AM - 1 PM
📍 RCA Studio, Suite #238 Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton, MA
Join Translate Gender and Resilient Community Arts for an all-ages version of Queer and Trans Art Group! Open to anyone who identifies as queer, trans, or gender-expansive, come hang out, make art in community, or just connect with other queer and trans folks in a safer space.
* FREE PROGRAM *
TORCH SONG
July 25, 26, 31 & August 1, 2, 8 PM
July 27, August 2, 3, 2 PM
📍Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St., Northampton, MA
An independent collective of queer and trans artists is putting on a production of Harvey Fierstein’s TORCH SONG, a hilarious and moving play about a drag queen in NYC in the 70s and 80s. We plan to donate 15-20% of proceeds from the show to support the Trans Asylum Seekers Support Network and other groups supporting LGBTQIA+ people at this time.
* SLIDING SCALE TICKETS *
Mirror, Mirror at A.P.E.
Opening Reception: Friday, July 25, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Closing Reception: Friday, August 8, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
📍A.P.E. Gallery Ltd, 126 Main St., Northampton, MA
Mirror, Mirror is a multidisciplinary art installation by Indë, a queer Black artivist born/raised/residing in Northampton, MA. The exhibit, on display from July 18th to August 8th, explores intersectional solidarity through immersive multimedia compositions and audience participation. In addition to presenting large figurative paintings, an original soundtrack, mirror/glass-based sculptures, and a new system of music notation, Indë will premiere the music video for “COME ON HOME,” featuring choir vocals by the Queer Joy Chorus, at the opening and closing receptions!
* FREE PROGRAM *
Reparations in Residence: Forum for Arts & Culture Workers + Admin
Thursday, July 31, 3:00 - 5:30 PM
📍 A.P.E. Gallery Ltd, 126 Main St., Northampton, MA
Join multidisciplinary artivist Indë in their installation Mirror, Mirror for a forum on implementing artist residencies as a form of reparations for Black and Indigenous peoples.
* FREE PROGRAM *
“…Expect a Circus”
Friday, August 1 & Saturday, August 2, 6:00 PM
📍Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St., Northampton, MA
Audiences 14+ are invited to enjoy a captivating collection of contemporary circus works revolving around the power of the body. Inspired by Roxane Gay’s concept of the “unruly body,” through aerial, juggling, tightwire, and dance, these works subvert conventional circus aesthetics to interrogate the politicization of physical form. Rather than spectacle for spectacle’s sake, "...Expect a Circus" spotlights the dedication, activism, and discipline of circus arts while examining how bodies resist, provoke, and challenge the political sphere.
* SLIDING SCALE TICKETS *
❇️ Volunteer Opportunity: RCA Board of Directors
Are you passionate about equitable arts access? Do you have expertise in finance, legal, or fundraising? Resilient Community Arts (RCA) invites you to join their dynamic Board of Directors and help make a difference in our community. Collaborate with others, gain valuable experience, and help shape the future of arts access in Western Mass. Open positions include: Treasurer, Legal Advisor, Community Representatives (Parents, Youth, Elders, and Trans/GNC).
Interested? Email maddie@resilientcommunityarts.org and include a statement of interest and a resume or summary of work experience.
❇️ Job Opportunity: PT Stationary Store Shopkeeper
Small Victories is hiring a Part-Time Stationery Store Shopkeeper!
This is an all-year position with extended hours December 8-23. Interested folks can read the full job description and application directions on our website: https://smallvictories.com/pages/jobs
Preferred start date: the week of August 18th. There is no deadline, but we encourage folks to apply at their earliest convenience.
❇️ Job Opportunity: PT Church Administrator
This is a permanent, part-time position as a Church Administrator. 20 hours/week with some flexibility in daily schedule.
This position supports a congregation actively engaged in making the world a better place. See www.FirstChurchAmherst.org and First Church Amherst on Facebook. Interested folks can read more and apply here.
Application screening begins on July 3 and will continue until the position is filled.
Trans Relocation Support (TRS) Western MA
TRS is committed to helping people move to Western Mass from states with anti-trans legislation. They aim to connect people with networks of mutual aid, resources, and community in this area. The process is a temporary support bridge that facilitates long-term local int(ter)dependence. TRS seeks to grow community care, mutual aid, and alternative systems of care for gender diverse people.
Connect with TRS: Learn & Volunteer | Give Support | Get Support
→ Join Translate Gender’s virtual fundraiser for TRS on Tuesday, July 15, from 7–8 PM, aiming to raise $20,000. The virtual benefit on Zoom will feature members of TRS, who will discuss the vital work they’re doing.
Access Free Notary Services
Forbes Library (Northampton): (413) 587-1011
Easthampton Public Library: (413) 527-1031
Chicopee Public Library: (413) 594-1800
You can also try (fees may apply): your local town hall, AAA, banks
Legal Aid for Immigrant Families
The Immigrant Defense Hotline (617-988-0606) is staffed by attorneys from Lawyers for Civil Rights’ pro bono network. Callers who leave a message will receive same-day response to questions about immigration enforcement and reports of immigration raids. Please reach out to Hotline@LawyersForCivilRights.org if you would like to get involved.
⚧️ Resources from Translate Gender
Read + Learn
Supreme Court rules to keep Tennessee’s gender-affirming care ban in place (The 19th)
Dear Trans Kids, You Don't Need the Government's Permission to Exist (Teen Vogue)
Know Your Rights (Trans Youth) (Transgender Law Center)
Information for LGBTQ+ People Under the Trump Administration (GLAD Law)
Connect
Join one of Translate Gender’s upcoming happenings, virtually or in-person
Reach out through our family listserv (please remember to be gentle, respectful, and to follow our community care practices)
If you or a loved one needs more urgent support, reach out to:
Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386
Take Action
→ Share information about Translate Gender in your communities, especially our work educating schools, businesses, and workplaces on protecting and affirming trans and gender-expansive youth.
→ Support sanctuary city initiatives in your city or town (like this one in Pittsfield or this one in Northampton) to ensure that trans individuals and the people who support them are safe.
→ If you’re able, donate to Translate Gender (monthly giving especially makes a huge difference) to help us continue our work lifting up and empowering trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive youth and families.
☕️ Love this newsletter? Buy us a coffee!
Seeking community? Join the network.
It’s’s a pivotal time to build and bolster local networks of care — and we remain dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ and ally entrepreneurs in and beyond our region. If you are an LGBTQ+ creative, healer, educator, or entrepreneur of any focus or an ally business serving communities throughout Western MA, we invite you to join our queer-grown network of community partners.
Partners receive: (1) an active listing in our Community Guide (2) visibility in our weekly newsletters (3) access to partners-only resources and opportunities including monthly Partner Meet-Ups.
*NEW* No-Fee Network Membership for QTBIPOC Entrepreneurs
As one of our commitments to reparative justice, we offer one year of no-fee partnership to QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) small business owners. This initiative is one move we’re making to foster a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem in the River Valley.
If you are a QTBIPOC small business owner and you are interested in becoming a partner, we invite you to apply and check where indicated if you would like to access one year of no-fee membership.
Learn more about the program at: BloomLocal.Live/Partner-Program and contact us with questions anytime.
Hosting an upcoming event? Let us spread the word!
Calendar listings and event promotion in this newsletter (5K reads/month) are benefits of Bloom Local’s Partner Program. To submit an event listing without a partner network membership, email your event details to: Hello@BloomLocal.live. A sliding scale fee of $5-$30 applies to each accepted submission.
Keep Connecting
Email Hello@BloomLocal.Live
Learn about the Partner Program